FROM DAYS GONE BY

20 Years Ago
From The Files Of December 29, 1988

The fifth-grade class of McConnellsburg Elementary School is to be congratulated on their recent accomplishment. The students were asked to bring in 10 dimes each to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation. In just eight days, they contributed $90 toward a grand total of $247.35 raised by the elementary students.

Fulton County Commissioners Tuesday gave final approval to a 1989 county budget which calls for a threemill increase in real estate taxes to a level of 19 mills.

Births at the Medical Center: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Skidmore of Warfordsburg on December 20; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery McCarty of Hancock on December 20; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Peck of Hustontown on December 20.

Icy road conditions last Wednesday made driving very hazardous, and there were numerous reports of minor accidents in the county resulting in bent fenders.

Some of the folks who opened up their homes for festive gatherings included the Paul Otts, Dr. Milroth, Mrs. Maggie Riggs, Dr. Locke, P.C. Mellott sons, Jack Fields Jr., the Daniel Grissingers, Jamie Greathead and numerous others.

The inauguration of Gov. Richard Thornburgh and Lt. Gov. William Scranton III is scheduled for January 16, 1979.

Now playing at the Reality Theater in Robertsdale: "Let's Make A Dirty Movie" and a matinee, "Mickey's Birthday Party Show." Playing at the Fulton Theatre: "The Van."

Births at the Medical Center: a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas D. Mellott of Needmore on December 15; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Unger of Mercersburg on December 21.

Robert Blaine Deshong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeShong of McConnellsburg, has completed Navy Data Processing School at San Diego, Calif. He will now be stationed at the Navy Recruiting office in Chambersburg and later stationed at the Naval base in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Turnpike travelers on New Year's Eve will be treated to free coffee at all Howard Johnson's restaurants along the 470-mile toll road.

A Fulton County Future Farmer of America has been named to receive the Keystone Farmer Degree, the highest award offered on the state level by the FFA organization. Stephen Grissinger of the Forbes Road Chapter has been selected to receive the award. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Elden Grissinger of Hustontown. Another Forbes member, Martin Brown, will serve as an delegate to the convention.

The Big D Discount Store, in the shopping center east of McConnellsburg, was broken into some time between Saturday, January 4, and January 6 but as far as can be ascertained, only a man's Benrus watch was stolen.

The first baby born at the Fulton County Medical Center in 1969 was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Troy Crouse of Big Cove Tannery. She arrived at 6:36 p.m., Wednesday, January 1.

Engagement: Ms. Eunice Morton of McConnellsburg has announced the engagement of her daughter, Maureen Eleanor Morton, also the daughter of Kenneth Morton of McConnellsburg, to Robert Crouse, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Crouse, also of McConnellsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. George Earley of McConnellsburg were honored recently by their two sons, Eugene and Robert, at a surprise celebration dinner to mark the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary and Mrs. Earley's birthday.

Betrothal told: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ramsey of Wells Tannery wish to announce the engagement of their daughter, Bonny Lee, to Charles Edward Oswald, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Oswald of Bridgeport, Pa.

Now playing at the Fulton Theatre: Joanne Woodward in "Rachel, Rachel" and "Projext X."

"Mrs. Greathead Assumes Editorship" - That's a front-page headline which appears in this week's issue. The following story goes on, in part, to what brought this about. The sudden death of the editor of the News produced a state of shock and chaos which still exists at this newspaper and will probably continue for some time. Mr. Greathead reported for work as usual last Wednesday morning at 8:00 o'clock but, not feeling well, returned to his home about 8:15. At about 8:30, the news reached the office that he had died of a coronary occlusion. His death was totally unexpected, although he had been suffering periodically for several months from some sort of attacks. Intensive medical examinations, as well as cardiographs, however, could establish no serious heart condition. Since his untimely death, these decisions have been reached: "Mrs. Greathead will assume the editorship of the News. She will endeavor to carry on in much the same manner as her husband, continuing the policies and ideals he subscribed to - mainly to give a readable and reliable paper to the readers of the News. Although she has done considerable work at the office in the past, there is much she has yet to learn. The latter editor made many friends and acquaintances during his 11 years as publisher of the News. It is felt that, in time, Mrs. Greathead will ably fill the spot left vacant by the untimely death of her husband. John Wesley Greathead was born on October 22, 1914, and died at his home in McConnellsburg on December 31, 1958. He was 44 years of age. A son of Mrs. Estella Greathead and the late W.H. Greathead of McConnellsburg, he was a combat veteran of World War II and met his wife, Audrey Pincher, while on leave in England. They were married on January 1, 1946, shortly after her arrival in America following the war. Subsequently, she became a naturalized American citizen. John leaves three children: Jamie, Johnnie and Nancy, all at home. He was a past master of Mount Zion Lodge and held membership in the Methodist Church, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mrs. Harry M. Johnston and son motored to New York on Friday with Dr. Jean Johnston and Miss Beulah Johnston, the latter two leaving at noon on Saturday on the Queen Mary for England.

Mrs. Jennie Wible, who recently underwent surgery at the Chambersburg Hospital, is recuperating at her home here.

Eddie MacKinlay left early Monday morning to enroll in the Naval Officers School at Newport, R.I.

Max Stenger and family moved recently to their newly purchased home, the Wilson Wheeler home, on North First Street. Mr. and Mrs. James Gordon moved to the house vacated by the Stengers.

Mr. and Mrs. David Duncan have moved to the house vacated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Wallace, the Wallaces having moved to an apartment in the Comerer building on Lincoln Way.

Mr. and Mrs.C.B. Chubb attended the Pennsylvania State Education Association Convention in Harrisburg last week, Mr. Chubb being a delegate from Fulton County.

Dorothy Harris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest C. Harris of McConnellsburg, has been chosen as one of the 140 musicians to play in the annual District Band Festival of the Southern District of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. The festival will be held at Kinzer on January 8, 9 and 10. Miss Harris will play second clarinet.

Rev. David R. Hoover of McConnellsburg offered prayer to open the 1959 session of the General Assembly in Harrisburg on January 6. He is the Assembly's 1959 chaplain.

Roderic Duvall of Crystal Spring placed fourth with 627 bushels to the area in the annual state potato growing contest at the Farm Show this year.

A honeymoon for a newly married Western couple ended tragically on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last Thursday. Mrs. Lou Ann Johnson, 30, bride of Welbourne Johnson, 32, was killed when their foreign sports car skidded on the icy roadway into the path of a truck. Johnson of Springdale, Utah, suffered a possible fracture and internal injuries. The couple was married on Christmas Eve.

Edward A. Little has retired as a member of the board of directors of the Hancock Bank. His retirement marks the first time since the bank was organized in 1894 that a member of the prominent Little family of Hancock has not been an officer or director.

Announcement has been made of the engagement of Edith Mae Koontz to Larry Ray Fischer.

The first baby born at the Medical Center this year was a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Troy Crouse of Big Cove Tannery on January 3.

Other births: a son to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Slee of Chambersburg on December 28; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Mellott of Needmore on December 30; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Crouse of Big Cove Tannery on December 30; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Clair Koontz of Needmore on December 31; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Guy Truax of Harrisonville on December 31; a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Quay Sipes of McConnellsburg on January 3; a son to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Everts of Big Cove Tannery on January 4.

James Franklin Sloan and Phyllis Jane Neely were married on December 27.

Deaths: Mrs. Walter Spade of Amaranth; Chester Strait of Davenport, Iowa; J. Frank Cook of Hagerstown; Mrs. Rebecca June Schenck of Wells Tannery.
60 Years Ago
From The Files of January 13, 1949

Dr. G.T. Lorentz announced this week that he will take an advanced course in heart disease next spring at George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C.

At a meeting on Sunday in Chambersburg, Chief M.W. McCormick of McConnellsburg was elected president of the Tri-County Lodge, No. 76, Fraternal Order of Police.

Twenty-one vocalists from Fulton County took part in "Susquehanna," the rural talent festival which was presented before a capacity crowd at the Farm Show on Tuesday evening.

Death: Mrs. George McClain of Mapleton.

William E. Davidson of Three Springs has completed a course in practical and theoretical radio and television at the National Radio Institute of Washington, D.C

The McConnellsburg Auto Parts was sold this week by the owner, Jack Kelso, to Dick's Auto Parts Company, Johnstown. Kelso has enrolled at an embalming school in Pittsburgh.

Death: Bert Fraker of Mapleton.

Mrs. John Greathead has been appointed executive secretary of the Fulton County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey James Comerer of Thompson Township celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on December 19.

Little Timothy Taylor of Hustontown has been a very sick boy, suffering from whooping cough.

Mr. and Mrs. Clair McElhaney of New Villa are the proud parents of a daughter, born at Carlisle Hospital.

The Fort Littleton Rod and Gun club entertained their families at a supper in the IOO hall there last Tuesday evening.

Deaths: John Wesley Souders of near McConnellsburg; Mrs. Carl Carbaugh of McConnellsburg; Mrs. Daniel Trout Sr. of McConnellsburg.
70 Years Ago
From The Files Of January 12, 1939

Judge W.C. Sheely will address the McConnellsburg Woman's Club on Friday afternoon. His subject will be "The Youth Problem As Related to Crime."

Two youthful bandits from New Kensington, who had all the paraphernalia for crime but lacked a steady trigger finger, were picked up in McConnellsburg on Friday night by Officer Achenbach of the local state police. Police were alerted here to be on the lookout for two lone motorcyclists who had robbed a garage at Schellsburg. When they arrived here, police stopped them and searched their luggage, finding two revolvers. They were held for questioning by police from Bedford.

Lawrence W. Gress and Miriam Louella White were married on January 2.

Mr. and Mrs. Hugo K. Frear, publisher and associate editor of The Fulton County News, will attend the annual convention of the Pennsylvania Newspaper Publishers Association in Harrisburg on Friday and Saturday.

Thelma Kauffman of Amaranth has been admitted to the Everett Hospital for medical treatment. Treated at the hospital dispensary were James E. Deshong of Mc- Connellsburg, X-ray of the right ankle, and George Cornelius of McConnellsburg, incision and drainage of the right hand.

The Turnpike Commission, created by the 1937 Legislature to construct a super highway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh, has paid out $2,000,000 for the land and right-of-way of the never-completed South Penn Railroad. This railroad, back in 1885, was supposed to pass through Fulton County. Its incompletion left Fulton County as the only county in the state without railroad facilities.

More than 100 persons gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F.M. Taylor on Tuesday to congratulate them on their golden wedding anniversary.

Junior Black, 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Black of McConnellsburg, miraculously escaped injury on Saturday when he was run over by a truck. A load of wood was being deliv- ered in the vicinity of the Black home and the boy decided to hitch a ride. Not knowing the boy was about to jump off the truck, the driver began backing up, knocking the boy down and both the front and rear wheels of the truck passed over his arm and chest. The N.H. Roettger family saw the accident happen and rushed to the boy's assistance, expecting to find him crushed. He was carried into the house but was out again in a short time, apparently with no injuries.

F.M. Taylor of McConnellsburg has been reappointed mercantile appraiser for Fulton County for 1929.

Births in Buck Valley: a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Stahley and a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Smith.